Information storage and information processing system utilizing state-designating member provided on supporting card surface which produces write-permitting or write-inhibiting signal

ABSTRACT

In a small and thin memory module for sharing data among electronic devices such as information processing apparatuses, a write prohibit state can be visually recognized. A conductive seal is attached to a predetermined position on a support member, thereby setting the memory module in the write prohibit state. The conductive seal visually indicates the write prohibit state. When the memory module is mounted in a connector section of a card-shaped holder, connector pins are electrically connected to each other via the conductive seal. Thus, a write prohibit mechanism is realized at low cost.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to an information storageapparatus for sharing data among electronic devices such as informationprocessing devices and an information processing apparatus using theinformation storage apparatus, and more particularly to a write prohibitmechanism for protecting internal data in an external storage apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art

In a conventional method of sharing data among information processingdevices, an attachable/detachable external storage apparatus in whichdata can be written is generally used. This type of external storageapparatus is normally provided with a write prohibit mechanism forprotecting precious internal storage data from being erroneously erased.

In a typical write prohibit mechanism, for example, as used in amagnetic tape or a floppy disk, the shape of a portion of a casing ofthe external storage apparatus is made changeable and the change inshape is optically or mechanically detected on the informationprocessing device side.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate an example of the conventional write prohibitmechanism which is employed, for example, in a 3.5 inch floppy disk.

A floppy disk 1 has, in proper places, a sliding shutter 2 for datawrite/read, a bearing unit 3 for rotating a built-in magnetic disk, alabel attachment section 4 on which a label indicating a title, etc. isattached, and a write protect tab 5. As is shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, thewrite protect tab 5 comprises a slider 5a and an opening window 5b whichis closed and opened in accordance the movement of the slider 5a.

Specifically, in the write prohibit mechanism using the write protecttab 5, the two shapes of the window 5b, i.e. the open shape and closedshape, which is determined by the movement of the slider 5a, aredetected by means of a contact switch, etc. Thus, the write permit stateand the write prohibit state can be discriminated on the informationprocessing device side.

In another data write prohibit mechanism, an electric write path is cutoff by a microswitch, as in a memory card in which data write iselectrically effected.

In the write prohibit mechanisms, a change in physical shape is mademechanically. Therefore, there is an advantage in that the write permitstate or write prohibit state can be recognized by the eye.

In each mechanism, however, the external storage apparatus needs to havecertain dimensions and thickness.

On the other hand, there is a method in which a write prohibit state isstored as internal data in an external storage apparatus.Advantageously, this method can be applied to any type of externalstorage apparatus, irrespective of the size and thickness thereof.

In this method, however, the write permit state or write prohibit statecannot be recognized until the external storage apparatus is mounted inan information processing device and actually operated.

As has been described above, in the prior art, the external storageapparatus needs to have certain dimensions and thickness in order thatone can recognize the write prohibit state.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is to provide a small and thin informationstorage apparatus permitting one to visually recognize the writeprohibit state thereof and making it possible to realize a writeprohibit mechanism at low cost and an information processing apparatususing this information storage apparatus.

In order to achieve the above object, according to the presentinvention, there is provided an information storage apparatuscomprising:

storage medium means in which information can be written;

a support member incorporating the storage medium means; and

a state-indicating conductive member provided on a surface of thesupporting member, indicating a state of the storage medium means inwhich writing of information to the storage medium means is prohibited.

The storage medium means comprises a storage medium device including atleast one non-volatile semiconductor memory device.

The support member has a recess in which the state-indicating conductivemember is provided.

The support member is of non-conductive, and the state-indicatingconductive member is of conductive to indicate the information writeprohibit state of the storage medium means.

According to the present invention, there is further provided aninformation storage apparatus comprising:

storage medium means in which information can be written;

a support member incorporating the storage medium means; and

a state-indicating non-conductive member provided on a surface of thesupporting member, indicating a state of the storage medium means inwhich writing of information to the storage medium means is prohibited.

The storage medium means comprises a storage medium device including atleast one non-volatile semiconductor memory device.

The support member has a recess in which the state-indicatingnon-conductive member is provided.

The support member is of conductive, and the state-indicatingnon-conductive member is of non-conductive to indicate the informationwrite prohibit state of the storage medium means.

The state-indicating non-conductive member is a seal.

According to the present invention, there is still further provided aninformation processing apparatus comprising:

an information storage device wherein information writable storagemedium means is incorporated in a support member and a state-indicatingconductive member is visibly provided, the state-indicating conductivemembers indicating a state of the storage medium means in which writingof information to the storage medium means is prohibited; and

a processing device for receiving the information storage device, theprocessing device having discriminating means for detecting theconductivity of the state-indicating conductive member to discriminatethe prohibit state of writing information to the storage medium means.

The storage medium means comprises a storage medium device including atleast one non-volatile semiconductor memory device.

The support member has a recess in which the state-indicating conductivemember is provided.

The state-indicating conductive member is a seal.

The discriminating means discriminates the prohibit state of writinginformation to the storage medium means by detecting the conductivestate of the state-indicating conductive member.

The discriminating means discriminates the prohibit state of writinginformation to the storage medium means by bringing two or moreconnection pins into contact with the state-indicating conductive memberand detecting the conductivity of the state-indicating conductivemember.

The processing device is a processing device including a drivingmechanism for driving the information storage device.

The processing device includes a card-shaped holder detachably attachedto the processing device and including a driving mechanism for drivingthe information storage device incorporated in the card-shaped holder.

According to the present invention, there is yet further provided aninformation processing apparatus comprising:

an information storage device wherein information writable storagemedium means is incorporated in a support member and a state-indicatingnon-conductive member is visibly provided, the state-indicatingnon-conductive member indicating a state of the storage medium means inwhich writing of information to the storage medium means is prohibited;and

a processing device for receiving the information storage device, theprocessing device having discriminating means for detecting thenon-conductivity of the state-indicating non-conductive member todiscriminate the prohibit state of writing information to the storagemedium means.

The storage medium means comprises a storage medium device including atleast one non-volatile semiconductor memory device.

The support member has a recess in which the state-indicatingnon-conductive member is provided.

The state-indicating non-conductive member is a seal.

The discriminating means discriminates the prohibit state of writinginformation to the storage medium means by detecting the non-conductivestate of the state-indicating non-conductive member.

The discriminating means discriminates the prohibit state of writinginformation to the storage medium means by bringing two or moreconnection pins into contact with the state-indicating non-conductivemember and detecting the non-conductivity of the state-indicatingnon-conductive member.

The processing device is a processing device including a drivingmechanism for driving the information storage device.

The processing device includes a card-shaped holder detachably attachedto the processing device and including a driving mechanism for drivingthe information storage device incorporated in the card-shaped holder.

In this invention, by virtue of the above-described structures, thewrite prohibit state can be discriminated on the basis of the change inelectrical state and can also be recognized visually, even with use of asmall and thin information storage apparatus.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth inthe description which follows, and in part will be obvious from thedescription, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objectsand advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means ofthe instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in theappended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of the specification, illustrate presently preferred embodiments ofthe invention and, together with the general description given above andthe detailed description of the preferred embodiments given below, serveto explain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1A schematically shows a plan pattern of a memory module accordingto an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view taken along line IB--IB in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the sealed surface side of asemiconductor memory package built in a memory module;

FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the terminal surface side of the memorypackage shown in FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional view taken along line IIC--IIC in FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3 illustrates a case where a memory module is inserted in acard-shaped holder prepared separately from an electronic device and theholder is mounted in the electronic device;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the structure ofa main part of the card-shaped holder; and

FIGS. 5A and 5B are schematic plan views of a floppy disk, fordescribing prior art and problems thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described withreference to the accompanying drawings.

FIGS. 1A and 1B schematically show the structure of a memory module 11of the present invention. FIG. 1A is a plan view of the memory module11, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view taken along line IB--IB inFIG. 1A.

The memory module 11 is used as an external storage apparatus such as afloppy disk. A semiconductor memory package 13 (described later indetail) serving as storage medium is mounted in a small card-shapedsupport member 12 formed of, e.g. plastic material.

The support member 12 has a label attachment section 14 on which anindication label for indicating an index of data stored in thesemiconductor memory package 13, and a seal attachment section 15 onwhich a conductive seal serving as means for prohibiting inadvertentdata write in the semiconductor memory package 13.

The size of the support member 12 is, for example, 37 mm×45 mm (lessthan half the size specified in IS07813) and the thickness thereof is0.76 mm ±0.08 mm specified in IS07813.

In the present embodiment, the size of the memory module 11 is set to beless than half the size specified in IS07813 so that it can be used asfloppy disk.

One corner of the support member 12, for example, one corner of a sideto be inserted into a drive apparatus, is cut out. Thereby, reverseinsertion into the drive apparatus is prevented.

The cut-out portion serves not only as means for preventing reverseinsertion but also as limiting the use of the memory module 11. Forexample, if the semiconductor memory package 13 operable at 5 V and thesemiconductor memory package 13 operable at 3.3 V are prepared, theformer alone may be provided with the cut-out corner portion. Thus, theinsertion of the memory package 13 operable at 3.3 V into the driveapparatus can be prevented, and the memory chip within the memory module11 can be protected against electric destruction due to a variation inpower voltage.

The label attachment section 14 has a recess with a depth correspondingto the thickness of a label to be attached. The label attachment section14 extends from the upper surface to the lower surface so as to coverone side edge of the support member 12.

The seal attachment section 15 has a circular recess with a diameter of,e.g. 10 mm. The seal attachment section 15 indicates an attachmentposition of a conductive seal and prevents the conductive seal fromprojecting upwards from the upper surface of the support member 12,thereby maintaining the flatness of the surface of the memory module 11.Thus, when the memory module 11 is pulled out from or inserted into thedrive apparatus, the seal is prevented from being peeled off orscratched.

The conductive seal functions as write protector for constituting awrite prohibit mechanism. The conductive seal is formed inexpensively,for example, by coating an adhesive on one surface of paper sheet andcoating a conductive material such as aluminum on the other surfacethereof. The conductive seal has a circular shape with a diameter of,e.g. 8 mm so that it can be attached within the seal attachment section15 on the support member 12.

Specifically, the conductive seal is attached on the seal attachmentsection 15 on the support member 12, thereby visually indicating thatdata write in the semiconductor memory package 13 is prohibited.

In addition, the write prohibit mechanism is easily achieved since thedata write prohibit state can be automatically recognized on the basisof the conductive state effected by the conductive seal.

FIGS. 2A to 2C schematically show the structure of the semiconductormemory package 13. FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the sealed surfaceside of the package 13, FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the terminalsurface side of the package, and FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional view takenalong line IIC--IIC in FIG. 2A.

The semiconductor memory package 13 is constituted such that a 16 MbitNAND type flash EEPROM chip 13bfunctioning as storage medium ornon-volatile semi-conductor memory device is mounted on a resin-basedsubstrate 13a. Input/output terminals (not shown) of the chip 13b areconnected to wiring on a major surface of the substrate 13a by means ofbonding wires 13c. The chip 13b, as well as the bonding regions, isresin-sealed by a sealing resin 13d by a one-side transfer mold method.

The wiring on the major surface of the resin-based substrate 13a isexposed to the non-sealed side (bottom side) of the substrate 13a viathrough-holes and led out as flat external connection terminals 13e.

In the present embodiment, the semiconductor memory package 13 has asize of 16.62 mm×27.59 mm on the terminal surface side, which is lessthan half the area of the support member 12 in its longitudinaldirection.

The memory package 13 is attached to the support member 12 such that thesupper surfaces of the external connection terminals 13e aresubstantially flush with the surface of the support member 12 on whichthe seal attachment section 15, etc. are formed.

When the memory module 11 having the above structure is used as externalstorage apparatus such as a floppy disk, a drive apparatus such as afloppy disk drive is needed.

FIG. 3 illustrates a case where the memory module 11 is mounted in amounting unit of an electronic device such as an information processingdevice, by using a drive apparatus prepared separately from theelectronic device.

For example, when the memory module 11 is used as floppy disk, thememory module 11 is first inserted into a card-shaped holder 21, and thecard-shaped holder 21 is then mounted in the mounting unit of theelectronic device.

The card holder 21 has a size specified, for example, in PCMCIA (e.g.type 11), has an input/output interface and incorporates a memorycontroller (not shown) functioning as drive apparatus for writing andreading data.

FIG. 4 schematically shows the structure of a main part of thecard-shaped holder 21.

Specifically, the holder 21 has a connector unit 22. A connector pinholder section 23 is provided inside the connector unit 22 in which thememory module 11 is mounted. The connector pin holder section 23 isprovided with a plurality of connector pins 24 to be put in contact withthe external connection terminals 13e of the semiconductor memorypackage 13, and connector pins 25 to be put in contact with the sealattachment section on the support member 12.

The connector pins 24 are connected to the memory controllerincorporated in the card-shaped holder 21.

Although FIG. 4 shows only one connector pin 25, the number of connectorpins 25 is at least two and the two connector pins 25 are arranged at adistance of 1mm or more from each other. The connector pins 25 areconnected to a discriminating circuit (not shown) provided within theelectronic device or card-shaped holder 21. The discriminating circuitdiscriminates the data write permit state and the data write prohibitstate on the basis of the conductive state and non-conductive statebetween the connector pins 25.

For example, when the conductive seal 16 is not attached to the memorymodule 11, the connector pins 25 are put in contact with anon-conductive part (seal attachment section 15) on the support member12. In this case, since the support member 12 has no electricalconductivity, electrical conduction between the connector pins 25 is noteffected. Thus, the write permit state is discriminated by thediscriminating circuit.

On the other hand, when the conductive seal 16 is attached to the memorymodule 11, the connector pins 25 are put in contact with the conductiveseal 16. Since the conductive seal 16 is electrically conductive,electrical conduction between the connector pins 25 is effected by theconductive seal 16. Thus, the write prohibit state is discriminated bythe discriminating circuit.

As has been described above, the memory module 11 is set in the writeprohibit state by attaching the conductive seal 16 to the sealattachment section 15 on the support member 12. If the conductive seal16 is attached, the user can visually recognize the write prohibit stateof the memory module 11. In addition, if the memory module 11 is mountedin the card-shaped holder 21, electrical conduction is effected betweenthe connector pins 25 and the memory controller can also recognize thewrite prohibit state of the module 11.

According to the present embodiment, the write prohibit state can bediscriminated on the basis of the change in electrical state, and alsothe write prohibit state can be visually recognized.

Specifically, when the memory module is set in the write prohibit state,the conductive seal is attached to a predetermined position. Thereby,the write prohibit state is visually indicated and electricallydetected. According to this embodiment, therefore, the write prohibitstate can fully be recognized and detected with use of a small, thinmemory module, as compared to a conventional large, thick memory modulein which the write prohibit state is set by making use of the change inshape thereof. In other words, even if the memory module is small andthin, the write prohibit state can be visually recognized andelectrically detected.

In the present method in which the write prohibit state is set byattaching the conductive seal, the memory module can easily be restoredto the write permit state from the write prohibit state by removing theconductive seal. Therefore, as compared to a conventional method inwhich a hole is formed in the module, the memory module can be moreeasily restored from the write prohibit state to the write permit stateand the strength of the memory module is not degraded.

In addition, according to the present method in which the data writeprohibit state is discriminated on the basis of the presence/absence ofthe conductive seal, the write prohibit mechanism is realized at lowercost, than in the conventional method in which the write prohibit stateis set by making use of the change in shape.

The above embodiment is directed to a case where the write prohibitstate is set by attaching the conductive seal to the non-conductivememory module. The present invention, however, is applicable to a casewhere the write permit state is set by attaching a conductive seal.

In the present method, the conductive state obtained by attaching theconductive seal can be associated with either the write prohibit stateor the write permit state, depending on whether the conductive stateeffected between the connector pins 25 by the attachment of theconductive seal is associated with the write prohibit state or with thewrite permit state.

Suppose that the attachment of the conductive seal is associated withthe write prohibit state. In this case, if defective contact occursbetween the conductive seal and the connector pins due to some cause,the write permit state is erroneously recognized and necessary datawould be erased.

On the other hand, if the attachment of the conductive seal isassociated with the write permit state, the seal needs to be attachedprior to the write operation. The frequency of actual use of the memorymodule in the write permit state is much higher than that in the writeprohibit state. Consequently, the seal is worn earlier and thereliability of the detection of the conductive state must be ensured tocompensate the earlier wear of the seal.

In the present embodiment, in order to ensure the reliability of thedetection of the conductive state, the conductive state effected by theattachment of the conductive seal is associated with the write prohibitstate in which the module is used much less frequently. However, theuser can properly decide, depending on the purpose of use, etc., whetherthe conductive state is associated with the write prohibit state or thewrite permit state.

If an electrically conductive memory module is used, an electricallynon-conductive seal may be attached to set the write prohibit state orwrite permit state.

In the above embodiment, the memory module is inserted in thecard-shaped holder and the card-shaped holder containing the module ismounted in the electronic device. However, the memory module may bedirectly mounted in the mounting unit of the electronic device havingthe drive apparatus.

The present invention is applicable not only to the memory module butalso to various storage mediums such as floppy disks or magnetic tapes.

The conductive or non-conductive seal may be replaced with a conductiveor non-conductive coating material such as ink. In this case, too, thesame advantage as in the above embodiment can be obtained.

Other modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of thepresent invention.

As has been described above in detail, according to the presentinvention, there is provided a small and thin information storageapparatus permitting one to visually recognize the write prohibit statethereof and making it possible to realize a write prohibit mechanism atlow cost and an information processing apparatus using this informationstorage apparatus.

Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to thoseskilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects isnot limited to the specific details, and representative devices shownand described herein. Accordingly, various modifications may be madewithout departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventiveconcept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. An information storage card apparatuscomprising:a supporting card; storage medium means on said supportingcard in which information can be written; and a state-designatingconductive member provided on a surface of the supporting carddesignating a state of said storage medium means in which writinginformation to the storage medium means is permitted or prohibited,wherein a write-permitting or a write-inhibiting signal is produced bysaid state-designating conductive member.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein said supporting storage medium means comprises a storage mediumdevice including at least one nonvolatile semiconductor memory device.3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said supporting card has a recessin which said state-designating conductive member is provided.
 4. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein said supporting card is nonconductive andsaid state-designating conductive member is conductive to designate thatsaid writing information is prohibited.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein said state-designating conductive member is a seal.
 6. Theapparatus of claim 3, wherein said state-designating conductive memberis a seal.
 7. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said conductive memberis a seal.
 8. An information storage apparatus comprising:a storagemedium in which information can be written; and a support memberincorporating said storage medium, the support member having a firstportion on a main surface thereof where an external connection terminalelectrically connected to said storage medium is provided, and a secondportion on said main surface, where a state-designating member fordesignating a state in which writing of information to the storagemedium is prohibited is provided, and wherein a write-permitting or awrite-inhibiting signal is produced by said state-designating member. 9.The information storage apparatus according to claim 8, wherein saidstate-designating member is composed of a conductive material.
 10. Theinformation storage apparatus according to claim 8, wherein saidstate-designating member is composed of a non-conductive material. 11.The information storage apparatus according to claim 8, wherein a heightof the first portion on the main surface of said support member wheresaid external connection terminal is provided is equal to a height ofthe second portion on the main surface of said support member, wheresaid state-designating member is provided.
 12. The information storageapparatus according to claim 8, wherein said first portion where saidexternal connection terminal is provided is formed in a first recess onthe main surface of said support member and said second portion wheresaid state-designating member for designating a state in which writingof information is prohibited is provided is formed in a second recess onthe main surface of said support member.
 13. The information storageapparatus according to claim 12, wherein the depths of said first andsecond recesses are greater than the height of said external connectionterminal and the height of said state-designating member.
 14. Theinformation storage apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said firstrecess is separated from said second recess.
 15. The information storageapparatus according to claim 11, wherein said first portion where saidexternal connection terminal is provided is formed in a first recess onthe main surface of said support member and said second portion wheresaid state-designating member for designating a state in which writingof information is prohibited is provided is formed in a second recess onthe main surface of said support member.
 16. The information storageapparatus according to claim 15, wherein the depths of said first andsecond recesses are deeper than the height of said external connectionterminal and the height of said state-designating member.
 17. Theinformation storage apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said firstrecess is separated from said second recess.
 18. An information storageapparatus comprising:a storage medium in which information can bewritten; and a support member incorporating said storage medium, thesupport member having a first portion on a main surface thereof where anexternal connection terminal electrically connected to said storagemedium is provided, and a second portion on said main surface, adaptedfor providing thereon a state-designating member for designating a statein which writing of information to the storage medium is prohibitedwherein, a write-permitting or a write-inhibiting signal is produced bysaid state-designating member.
 19. The information storage apparatusaccording to claim 18, wherein said state-designating member is composedof a conductive material.
 20. The information storage apparatusaccording to claim 18, wherein said state-designating member is composedof a non-conductive material.
 21. The information storage apparatusaccording to claim 18, wherein a height of the first portion on the mainsurface of said support member where said external connection terminalis provided is equal to a height of the second portion on the mainsurface of said support member, adapted for providing thereon saidstate-designating member.
 22. The information storage apparatusaccording to claim 18, wherein said first portion where said externalconnection terminal is provided is formed in a first recess on the mainsurface of said support member and said second portion adapted to beprovided with said state-designating member for designating a state inwhich writing of information is prohibited is formed in a second recesson the main surface of said support member.
 23. The information storageapparatus according to claim 22, wherein the depths of said first andsecond recesses are greater than the height of said external connectionterminal and the height of said state-designating member.
 24. Theinformation storage apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said firstrecess is separated from said second recess.
 25. The information storageapparatus according to claim 21, wherein said first portion where saidexternal connection terminal is provided is formed in a first recess onthe main surface of said support member and said second portion adaptedfor providing thereon said state-designating member for designating astate in which writing of information is prohibited is formed in asecond recess on the main surface of said support member.
 26. Theinformation storage apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the depthsof said first and second recesses are deeper than the height of saidexternal connection terminal and the height of said state-designatingmember.
 27. The information storage apparatus according to claim 26,wherein said first recess is separated from said second recess.
 28. Theinformation storage apparatus comprising:a storage medium in whichinformation can be written; a supporting member incorporating saidstorage medium, the support member having a first portion on a mainsurface thereof where an external connection terminal electricallyconnected to said storage medium is provided, and a second portion onsaid main surface; and a state-designating member on said secondportion, for designating a state in which writing of information to thestorage medium is prohibited, wherein a write-permitting or awrite-inhibiting signal is produced by said state-designating member.29. The information storage apparatus according to claim 28, whereinsaid state-designating member is composed of a conductive material. 30.The information storage apparatus according to claim 28, wherein aheight of the first portion on the main surface of said support memberwhere said external connection terminal is provided is equal to a heightof the second portion on the main surface of said support member, wheresaid state-designating member is provided.
 31. The information storageapparatus according to claim 28, wherein said first portion where saidexternal connection terminal is provided is formed in a first recess onthe main surface of said support member and said second portion wheresaid state-designating member for designating a state in which writingof information is prohibited is provided is formed in a second recess onthe main surface of said support member.
 32. The information storageapparatus according to claim 31, wherein the depths of said first andsecond recesses are greater than the height of said external connectionterminal and the height of said state-designating member.
 33. Theinformation storage apparatus according to claim 32, wherein said firstrecess is separated from said second recess.
 34. The information storageapparatus according to claim 30, wherein said first portion where saidexternal connection terminal is provided is formed in a first recess onthe main surface of said support member and said second portion wheresaid state-designating member for designating a state in which writingof information is prohibited is provided is formed in a second recess onthe main surface of said support member.
 35. The information storageapparatus according to claim 34, wherein the depths of said first andsecond recesses are greater than the height of said external connectionterminal and the height of said state-designating member.
 36. Theinformation storage apparatus according to claim 35, wherein said firstrecess is separated from said second recess.